DNA is a new design fair in Copenhagen

Press Release
In September 2012 Copenhagen welcomes the World of design with the launch of a new annual fair for contemporary furniture, lightning and design objects. The focus of the fair is to catch the essence of the Nordic high quality design and its creative DNA. To show that Nordic design is contemporary, modern, and innovative and continues to evolve, while standing on the shoulders of the giants of the past. This is why the fair is simply named: DNA. The initiative is created by the pioneering team behind the CPH Vision/ Terminal-2 fashion fair, a fashion event that in few years has become one of the most exciting of its kind in Europe.

DNA is new design hub with an exclusive mix of Scandinavian and international brands, of creative talent and established manufactures. As a natural melting and gathering point for retailers, buyers, architects, interior designers, journalist and design lovers, DNA is loaded with the potential to become a new platform for design in Northern Europe. Situated in the stunning old warehouse Lokomotivværkstedet in the centre of Copenhagen the fair is a new key event in the international design calendar. 

“For some time Copenhagen has lacked a fair for furniture, lightning and design. A place that once a year puts focus on and celebrates the creative and exiting development and a fair is just the right thing for that. It seems so natural since furniture and design is such a big part of our Nordic consciousness and the Danish capital has everything needed to host such an event: Great architecture and culture, accessibility and modern infrastructure” says Erik Rimmer, editor-in-chief of the exclusive Danish design and living magazine BO BEDRE.

The launch of DNA is an important step on the path to establishing Copenhagen as an epicentre for high quality design of the kind that caters for a demanding audience. This is a step, which is very welcomed by the key players in the design industry.

“The DNA fair focuses on quality and not quantity, which makes it different from other events in the same category. It is a platform for the companies that are thinking ahead and doing really well,” says Michael Anker, the Danish CEO of the Italian lightning company Luceplan.

“With the fair at Lokomotivværkstedet we now have the optimal setting for Nordic brands to show the world what they do so well – and for international brands as Luceplan to show their work in this high quality context. And putting focus on quality in both design and materials points backwards to a proud tradition in Scandinavia and at the same time it points to a future where a lot of newer, innovative brands are heading for success,” Michael Anker explains.

In order to ensure Copenhagen as a landmark on the international map of design we thrive to include a number of high-end brands, such as Engelbrecht and Hay situated in the Danish capital as well as Luceplan and Montana, that already created permanent showrooms at Pakhus 48 in the area Nordhavn. These companies have already shown their interest in participating at DNA and with the new annual DNA fair the companies see an even stronger potential of showing just how much Copenhagen has to offer as a major and international design city.

“I warmly welcome this initiative. Copenhagen simply has to have a design fair.  Lokomotivværkstedet is a unique location for Danish as well as international design and we at Montana are looking forward to combining what we do at Pakhus 48 with DNA. It is important that we are all heading in the same direction in order to attract as much attention as possible to Copenhagen and the great World of Nordic design,” says CEO of Montana, Joakim Lassen.

FACTS ABOUT DNA 
WHEN: 6-9 of September 2012
WHERE: Lokomotivværkstedet, a stunning 15,000 m2 warehouse in the centre of Copenhagen.
WHAT: DNA exhibits in all categories, including living, retail, office and public.

Additional info: Jan Busch Carlsen, Exhibition Professionals, Phone +45 3964 8586 – Mobile +45 4095 8586 – E-mail jbc@cphvision.dk or Tine Jaegerskou at: Email tj@cphvision.dk

Sunday special: Designing a comfortable guest room

Gift & Home Today invited Design Shuffle to write about creating a hospitable guest room.

If you entertain overnight guests often, you may have wondered what it really takes to make them truly comfortable and feeling at home in your domain. New York interior designer, Tom Scheerer knows. His design philosophy is based on “fresh, civilized, beautiful and unpretentious spaces.” He recently shared his checklist of “guest room” essentials with House Beautiful. With his suggestions in mind, we put together a visual representation of eight items he deems must-haves. From shampoo to a fresh nosegay, your guests won’t be running out of their room every five minutes in search of additional necessities.

1. Luxurious bath towels

These Coyuchi Organic Cotton Willow Bath Towels truly know the meaning of being “green.” They’re as eco-friendly as they are luxurious.

2. Fresh Soap

Oprah once conveyed it was not a pleasant experience to be a guest in someone’s home and be faced with a used bar of soap. The makers of the self-described “pure decadence” Chocolate Luxury Bar know how to treat a guest right. Creamy and conditioning, this handmade soap offers the fragrance of dark and milk chocolate oils and is naturally colored by cocoa powder.

3. Shampoo

Dubbed as the “special occasion” shampoo by Redbook and the “best of the best” by Vogue, Philip B. Botanicals Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo is “rich, thick and honeylike” and even multiple-award winning. We think your guests will approve.

4. Bath oil or foam

This Penhaligon Artemisia Bath Oil brings back memories of days gone by in the early ‘90s when everything was coming up Victorian. Their scented book collections of love poems smelled of lavender, gardenia and roses. Their Artemisia oil has base notes of sandalwood, violet, vanilla, green apple and lily of the valley.

5. Terry robe

Make your guests feel as if they have just stepped into a guest room at the Savoy in London with a comfy pure fiber kimono-style white robe made from 100% organic combed cotton from Baskets of Inspiration.

6 Refillable water vessel and a glass

The Bedside Water Carafe Set from My Wedding Favorites can be personalized with your or maybe your guest’s initials for a gift they can take home with them. It is hand blown and holds a little over 16 ounces of liquid.

7. Alarm clock

Pottery Barn’s interpretation of a vintage classic is timeless. Did we just say that? The Charleston clock will be sure to wake your guests from their comfort-induced slumber.

8. Bedside nosegay

We provided sources for seven of Tom’s recommendations, but this one you’ll have to run to the florist for or get DYI home décor ideas from Focal Point’s Sneak Peak at Sherbert Nosegays. They look good enough to eat.

The remainder of Tom’s list of guest room essentials, which are no less important, includes a range of magazines, a range of hangers, a pad and pencil, a luggage rack, an orange or an apple. With all of the luxurious items you provide them, your guests may never leave their room!

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This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find top tier interior designs from around the world – from New York Interior Designers, Los Angeles Interior Designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

Accent on Design winners from NY gift show

The New York International Gift Fair presented awards for design creativity and innovation to six exhibitors in the Accent on Design section. The gift show concluded last week.


Excellence in Product Design
Stelton (New York). Pure Black Pure White knives forged from a single piece of stainless steel and coated in black matte titanium, and held on a single, white magnetic strip. A reinterpretation of the classic form, the judges liked its sleek, minimalistic high design.

Black + Blum Hot Pot BBQ

Excellence in Product Design
Black + Blum (London). Hot Pot BBQ, a humorous take on the everyday barbecue grill. Made from stainless steel with a heat-insulating ceramic coating, the Hot Pot BBQ serves as a terracotta pot for growing herbs while concealing an actual grill underneath.

Brendan Ravenhill's Bare Light

Excellence in Product Design
American Design Club (Los Angeles). Brendan Ravenhill’s Bare Light utilizes the natural electrical insulating properties of glass to create a light socket allowing the electrical components to be seen, yet safely protected. Judges appreciated the reinvention of the iconic object with its surprising use of materials.


Excellence in Product Design 
Hongjie Yang Design (Chengdu, China). Veer, a soap dispenser that fuses function and style. Inspired by the shape of bamboo, the ultra modernistic form in stainless steel is a sleek alternative to the mundane.

K Studio soft goods

Best Collection
K Studio (Grand Rapids, Mich.). Pillows, pouches and wall décor, which are charming, artistic interpretations with a nod towards eco-friendly design. The hand-stitched collection uses hemp, organic cotton and flax – a warm contrast to the strong, industrial designs found in Accent on Design.


Overall Excellence
Creative Danes representing Menu (Copenhagen, Denmark). For innovation in outdoor, dining and living products, presentation and technology. Menu’s Scandinavian design originals boast clean lines with unexpected functionality to surprise and delight the user. Creative Danes’ use of QR codes allows the user – via free iPhone and Android apps – to immediately access product information and video on YouTube.

Judging criteria included innovation, function, originality and design. The Accent on Design selection committee for winter 2011 includes: Miguel Calvo of Design & Research, Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions, Kathy Thornton-Bias of The Museum of Modern Art, Wilma Wabnitz of Wabnitz Editions; and Noel Wiggins of Areaware.

Thomas O'Brien to speak at the L.A. Mart

Thomas O'Brien

press release

L.A. Mart Design Center and the California Gift Show are proud to announce that celebrated interiors and product designer Thomas O’Brien will give this January Market’s keynote presentation on Friday, January 21, 2011.

O’Brien, who has made appearances at several L.A. Mart Design Center events, will discuss his design philosophy and his book, American Modern, a survey of seven of his most influential projects ranging from traditional to modern in style. A books signing and reception follows the presentation.
Thomas O’Brien has made a career of translating cool notions of modernism into an easy and generous array of modern styles. His traditional-to-modern design philosophy defines an eponymous brand of new-classic home furnishings, with furniture, lighting, tableware, textiles, carpets, and bedding and bath collections, for both fine and daily living. In addition, O’Brien is widely recognized for his popular Thomas O’Brien Vintage Modern collection for Target. His work has been featured in endless publications including Elle Decor, House & Garden, House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home, Town & Country, The New York Times and Architectural Digest, among others.
"We are extremely pleased that Thomas will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Market,” said Jeff Sampson, vice president marketing, L.A. Mart Design Center. “Year-round we dedicate ourselves to being the very best resource to southern California’s design community. Bringing design luminaries like O’Brien to our designers in addition to the unique, new-to-market products from our permanent showrooms and temporary gift exhibitors extends our value exponentially.”

DESIGNSTUDIO is one of those market resources. A vast array of sources for the interior designer as well as the retailer who carries home furnishings once again debuts at L.A. Mart’s 2nd Floor Exhibition Hall this January. “With floor coverings, lighting, antiques, tabletop décor, contemporary and classic furniture, as well as a varied selection of both au courant and traditional artwork, DESIGNSTUDIO will prove to be a valuable tool for designers and buyers who are searching for a new and unique selection of merchandise for the home,” said Frank Joens, Vice President, Sales, California Gift Show.



Special Design Center programming on Friday, January 21:

Thomas O'Brien Keynote Presentation

11:00 a.m. - noon

Location: L.A Mart, California Room, 2nd floor


Thomas O’Brien Booksigning and Reception

(Books will be available for purchase at the on-site Book Soup kiosk)

12:00 noon

Location: L.A. Mart, 2nd Floor Exhibition Hall


Thomas O’Brien Designer reception hosted by Haptor Barrett showroom

2 p.m. Meet & Greet with Thomas O’Brien

Thomas O’Brien Introduces his Library Collection for Hickory Chair, a new collection inspired by his own home in Long Island and created to celebrate his tenth anniversary with the company. Location: Haptor Barrett Suite 1104

Alexandra Dymowska, Alexa Hampton talk design

At the October 2009 High Point market, General Motors designer Alexandra Dymowska talks with designer Alexa Hampton, president and owner, Mark Hampton LLC about the intersection of design and innovation across industries.
If the video does not appear, click here.